Ravinia District Food Truck Thursdays Return!

Food Truck Thursdays return to the Ravinia District in the City of Highland Park June 1 through September 21, 2023, from 4:30 PM to dusk on Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns Avenues and Jens Jensen Park across from the Ravinia Metra Station. 

Alfresco diners are invited to come and experience various food offerings and drinks from more than a dozen rotating food trucks every week on Dean Avenue. Guests can also enjoy beer and wine selections from Ravinia District restaurants Abigail's American Bistro and Ravinia Brewing Company.  

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs or dine at one of the many picnic benches in Jens Jensen Park while enjoying live music (weather permitting) from 4:30-8:30 PM (June-August) and 4:30-8 PM (September). The eclectic 2023 musical lineup includes a robust variety of genres as well as special theme nights for all-ages fun! Three theme nights will encourage guests to arrive in costume, enjoy interactive kids activities, and be ready to dance to music of the 80’s (June 15), Country (July 20), and Grateful Dead (August 17). 

“To accommodate all of the families coming out early, we’ll be kicking off every concert at 4:30 sharp with live music, including special kid-centric performances peppered throughout the summer,” says Noah Plotkin, music manager with Life Rhythms.  Opening acts and family programming will run from 4:30-5:45 PM with the headliner playing from 6-8:30 PM June-August and 6-8 PM in September.

JUNE 1:

Jay O’Brien & Allison Zabelin Duo – Folk Pop

Bowmanville - Hot House Swing Band

JUNE 8:

Ian Leith – Classic Folk

True Believers – David Bowie Cover Band

JUNE 15 (‘80s Night):

New Vintage Strings – ‘80s String Cover Band

Dec8de – ‘80s Cover Band

JUNE 22:

Ravinia Ramblers Trio – Folk Americana

Jared Rabin Band - Americana

JUNE 29:  

Wavy Dave’s Music Hour – Folk Pop

Radio Free Honduras – Latin Rock

JULY 6:

Life Rhythms Drum Circle – Community Drum Circle

Basement Band – Classic Rock

JULY 13:

Gandy Gumbo – Blues Folk

Vezatile – R&B and Soul

JULY 20 (Country Music Theme Night):

Jeanie B! - Children’s Entertainer

Billingsley & Earp – Honky Tonk Country

JULY 27:

Noah’s Jam Jam Bourrée- Children’s Entertainers

Dime Store String Band – Bluegrass

AUGUST 3:

David Hayes – Folk Pop

Big Shoulders Brass Band – New Orleans Brass Band

AUGUST 10:

Highland Park Players – Broadway-style Entertainment

Taylor Morse Band – Classic Rock

AUGUST 17 (Grateful Dead Theme Night)

Ben Tatar & The Tatar Tots – Children’s Entertainers

Railheart – Music of the Grateful Dead

AUGUST 24

Curt Sipe Quartet – Jazz Swing Trio

La Tosca – Italian Mambo Ensemble

AUGUST 31

Gerry Field & Friends – World Jazz Folk

Fur Mountain – Original Laurel Canyon Inspired Rock with Classic Covers

SEPTEMBER 7:

Pierce Crask – Americana Blues

Dave Specter  - Chicago Blues 

SEPTEMBER 14:

The Desert Birds Trio – Local Swing Trio

DiamondBack – Classic Country

SEPTEMBER 21:

Lee Street Heaters – Ravinia Business Owner’s Jazz Fusion Quartet

Extra Crispy Brass Band – New Orleans Inspired Brass Band

For sneak peeks of weekly food trucks and event updates, be sure to like and follow RaviniaDistrict.HighlandPark on Facebook, @RaviniaDistrict on Instagram, or visit enjoyhighlandpark.com/foodtrucks.

Food Truck Thursdays are presented by the City of Highland Park and the Ravinia District Special Service Area 17 property owners. Bensidoun USA manages the events with music coordinated by Life Rhythms, Inc. and co-sponsored by the Highland Park Community Foundation. Additional sponsors include Arbor Terrace, Banner Kitchen & Bath Showroom, Gearhead Outfitters, Irina Makkai Classical Ballet and Dance School and Wayfarer Theaters.

The public is encouraged to walk or bike along the enhanced Green Bay Trail  - Robert McLory Bike Trail that leads into the charming Ravinia District.  The Ravinia District of Highland Park is easily accessible from north or south by riding the Metra to the Ravinia Station, Pace Bus, or if traveling by car, Highland Park is easily accessible via north Lake Shore Drive to Sheridan Road, US 41 and 294. Exit Clavey Road east to Green Bay Road and east on Roger Williams Avenue. Free parking is available.